In Nahnatchka Khan’s uproarious blend of comedy and horror, “Totally Killer,” we are treated to a delightful romp through the tangled web of time travel and slasher cinema. Khan fearlessly plunges headfirst into the often absurd realms of these genres, infusing her film with a playful self-awareness that’s as infectious as it is entertaining. At times, you might even expect one of the characters to break the fourth wall and wink at the audience, reminding us that this is all in good fun and not to take it too seriously.
Think “Back to the Future” meets “Scream” with a dash of “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Big,” “Happy Death Day,” “Freaky,” and “The Final Girls.” Khan, the creative genius behind “Fresh Off the Boat” and the endearing 2019 rom-com “Always Be My Maybe,” along with the talented penmanship of David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo, display a deep-seated affection for the tropes of time travel and modern slasher flicks. They expertly craft a narrative that serves up a delectable blend of 70% humor and 30% horror, a recipe that doesn’t always hit the mark but is consistently amusing, with sharp dialogue, well-executed horror sequences, and a standout ensemble cast.
Kiernan Shipka, known for her roles in “Mad Men” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” shines as Jamie Hughes, the quintessential 17-year-old longing for a taste of freedom during a Halloween night concert with her friends. Her parents, played hilariously by Julie Bowen and Lochlyn Munro, are the epitome of helicopter parenting, inadvertently sending Jamie on an unexpected trip down memory lane.
The film cleverly weaves in a backstory involving Pam’s narrow escape from the “Sweet Sixteen Killer” in 1987, a murderer who has never been brought to justice. When the killer resurfaces in the present day, Jamie stumbles upon a time-travel contraption, catapulting her back to the ’80s just as the murders are set to unfold. Enter the nostalgic sounds of Bananarama’s “Venus” and a visual feast of big hair, Members Only jackets, and Molly Ringwald-inspired costumes.
As Jamie finds herself in the midst of the ’80s, she’s confronted with a chance to alter history, save lives, and apprehend the Sweet Sixteen Killer before he can strike again. But as we all know, messing with the past can have unintended consequences.
The film’s humor also serves as a vehicle for commentary on ’80s culture, touching on issues such as sexism, racism, and generational differences. These moments are interspersed with quirky characters and witty one-liners that evoke nostalgia for the era while playfully poking fun at it.
Director Khan employs a crisp and authentic ’80s visual style that elevates “Totally Killer” beyond the constraints of a low-budget horror flick. The reveal of the Sweet Sixteen Killer’s identity delivers a genuine surprise, and the time-travel complexities are neatly resolved, considering the fantastical premise. In fact, one could argue that Jamie’s time-travel adventure is more comprehensible than Marty McFly’s initial jaunt through time, making “Totally Killer” a peculiarly sensible entry in the time-travel subgenre.
In “Totally Killer,” Nahnatchka Khan and her talented team have concocted a zany and nostalgic cocktail of laughs and thrills. It’s not a perfect cinematic brew, but it’s undeniably fun and refreshingly self-aware—a blood-soaked journey through time and horror that leaves us both entertained and oddly satisfied.
